Phyllis Schlafly, a conservative icon who has railed against the feminist movement for decades, has endorsed Rep. Michele Bachmann&rsquo;s presidential campaign.

In a statement reported by the Des Moines Register, Schlafly said Bachmann is courageous and a &ldquo;real champion in speaking up for values we care about.&rdquo;

Schlafly has long been complimentary of the Minnesota Republican&rsquo;s candidacy.

Bachmann has called Schlafly her &ldquo;mentor&rdquo; and a &ldquo;heroine.&rdquo;

&ldquo;As a young bride and a young mother I read faithfully the Phyllis Schlafly Report. She was my lifeline to what was happening in the world,&rdquo; Bachmann said on a tea party radio program broadcast in Iowa in July. &ldquo;She truly is the mother of the modern conservative movement. ... I think she is the most important woman in the United States in the last 100 years.&rdquo;

Bachmann added that Schlafly is &ldquo;the person that I hope to be someday.&rdquo;